Eleanor D. Patrick

STAUNTON – Eleanor Elizabeth (Dean) Patrick, 91, passed to Eternal Rest at her residence, Braeburn, on May 24, 2015. Born in Pensacola, Florida, on June 17, 1923, she was the daughter of Earnest Edward and Lena A. Vollm Dean. Raised in the Boston area, she took pride in sharing her birth date with the anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill.

The first of her extended family to graduate from high school, she earned a scholarship to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she graduated with a degree in engineering. There, she met her husband, James Burns Patrick. They married in December 1944 while he was on pass from the Army and shared 70 years of happy marriage, raising four children. After World War II ended, she was among the first Army wives who sailed to war-torn Europe and joined her husband in Occupied Germany, where they had many adventures.

She loved her children and was proud of all that they accomplished, her church, gardening and landscaping, restoring old houses, antiques, politics and conservative causes, summer concerts, improving the community and helping others.

As a young woman, she was active in conservative politics, helping to found the Conservative Party of New York and chairing the Conservative Party of Rockland County. Upon moving to Staunton in 1967, she directed her energies toward historic preservation and rescuing the historic character of this beautiful city, which was threatened by calls for "modernization." She was the driving force behind the formation of Historic Staunton Foundation in 1971. She collaborated closely with the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission and pushed for a comprehensive inventory of Staunton's historic buildings. She also was instrumental in sparking the Newtown renaissance by restoring several key properties around Stuart House, at a time when few would venture to invest in that area. As a partner in Iona Restorations, she renovated properties in the downtown and Newtown districts. She took particular pride in saving several smaller homes in the Green Street area. Her drive and determination enabled the renovation of the Sears House and the saving of the Wharf district and the Cabell log cabin. She loved anything old and was undeterred by peeling paint, leaking roofs or cracks in the wall. Quite simply, she had the vision that Staunton could be the charming destination that it now has become, and she worked tirelessly to make that a reality.

She loved Staunton and served the community in a myriad of ways that would make it a better place to live. She served for many years on the Planning Commission, serving as a strong voice for preserving the historic character of the city. As a member of the Staunton Beautification Committee, she was instrumental in designing and planting many of the trees and greenery around town such as the tree plantings in many of the parking lots, in front of the Courthouse, and between the parking garage and City Hall. She also served on the Clean City Committee, attending its meetings up into her late 80s. She helped with after school tutoring for disadvantaged youth and was active with the Community Involvement and Awareness Committee (C.I.A.) to improve the Johnson Street area. For her work with the African-American community, she was recognized with the Martin Luther King award by the Shenandoah Hit. Involved in charitable work throughout her life, she chaired the Margaret Clem Circle of the International Order of the King's Daughters for many years.

A devoted member of Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church, she served on the Building Committee which planned and oversaw the expansion of the historic sanctuary, and the Historical Committee to include the creation of the first museum and preservation and marking of the African-American cemetery. She faithfully attended the Ruth Circle and the Fellowship Sunday School class until her final decline in health.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter Penelope Burns Patrick Biskey.

The family is grateful to CareAdvantage for the care providers who tended to Mrs. Patrick, especially Diane, Jeannie, Tina and Chrystal and to the Hospice of the Shenandoah.

Family visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at Henry Funeral Home. A service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church, at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 28, 2015.

Those wishing to make charitable contributions may contribute to the Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church Food Pantry, Historic Staunton Foundation, the Stonewall Brigade Band, or Mothers Against Drunk Driving, which as a strict teetotaler was a charity very near to her heart.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.henryfuneralhome.net.